New UK parliamentary group seeks to boost Belt and Road cooperation

Updated: September 12, 2018 Source: China Plus
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Liu Xiaoming, Chinese Ambassador to the UK speaks at the launch of the new parliamentary group for the Belt and Road Initiative and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. (Photo provided by the Chinese Embassy in the UK)

A new UK parliamentary group for the Belt and Road Initiative and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor was launched on Monday to advance China-UK cooperation.

Liu Xiaoming, Chinese Ambassador to the UK speaks at the launch of the new parliamentary group for the Belt and Road Initiative and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. [Photo provided by the Chinese Embassy in the UK]

The group was established by the UK's All-Party Parliamentary Group to help British parliamentarians to better understand the Belt and Road and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. It also serves as a platform for British Businesses to further engage in related projects.

Speaking at the launch, Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming said China and the UK are "natural partners" in Belt and Road development and the parliamentary group will help bring in more British public support and participation in the initiative. He said the group could give British think-tanks, media institutions and the general public a comprehensive and fair view of the initiative.

The Chinese Ambassador also said that it is important for the parliamentary group to advocate the Belt and Road spirit of openness and inclusiveness, stand firm against protectionism and unilateralism, and uphold free trade and the rule-based multilateral trade regime.

The UK is ahead of other major Western countries in the Belt and Road cooperation. British companies and financial institutions have carried out fruitful cooperation with their Chinese partners on financing and professional expertise and services in a third market along the routes. Among them are HSBC, Standard Chartered, BP and KPMG.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. It has a growing circle of friends and an increasing number of countries have cast their vote of confidence and support, said the Chinese Ambassador. The UK is located at the Western end of the extension of the Belt and Road. It is also an important hub on this East-West thoroughfare. The China-UK cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative has set sail, is breaking the waves and making good progress, he added.

Editor: 曹家宁